Stretching for nearly 100 km from Sydenham Inlet to the New South Wales border, Croajingolong is one of Australia’s finest national parks. From undisturbed forested foothills to a magnificent wilderness coastline, it is home to a vast array of plants and wildlife, some found in few other places.

Location and Access

Croajingolong National Park is in East Gippsland, the far eastern corner of Victoria, about 450 km east of Melbourne. Access to the Park is from the Princes Highway and Mallacoota along gravel roads. The road to Mallacoota from Genoa is sealed.

With the exception of the Mallacoota Road, roads are generally unsuitable for towing caravans. Access along gravel road is subject to weather conditions, so please check with a CNR Office before heading out after wet weather.

Wilderness Areas

Two wilderness areas were declared in the park from June 1992. These are the Sandpatch (15,600 ha) and the Cape Howe (7,100 ha). Wilderness protects areas of high conservation value with a range of undisturbed vegetative communities, intact and natural catchments, rare species of wildlife and diverse geological, geomorphological and landscape values. Wilderness areas provide opportunities for solitude and appropriate self-reliant, non-mechanised recreational activities.

Camping Information

There are three types of camping available:

• Areas outside the Park where facilities are provided by the local Shire council. They include the campgrounds at Mallacoota, Cann River, Bemm River and Genoa.
• Areas inside the Park where basic facilities are provided (see map). Camp fees are payable for these areas. Bookings are necessary for holiday periods.
• Camping for bushwalkers on overnight hikes. There are no facilities at these sites.

NB. Camping is not permitted around the Mallacoota Lakes.

Things to See and Do

Picnicking

There are picnic facilities in most of the coastal camping areas and around Mallacoota Inlet, some of which are accessible by boat only. Fresh water is not available at most sites, so you will need to bring your own.

Boating

There are launching ramps for motor boats at Mallacoota, Gipsy Point, Tamboon Inlet and Bemm River.

Canoeing

Tamboon and Mallacoota Inlets and the lower areas of the Mueller, Thurra, Wingan, Betka, Genoa and Wallagaraugh Rivers are ideal for canoeing. Check river levels before setting out.

Fishing

Fishing is permitted in the Park. An Amateur Fishing Licence is required if you intend fishing in the top lake of Mallacoota Inlet, Tamboon Inlet and all other inland waters.

Walking

There are a number of popular short walking tracks in the vicinity of all the main campgrounds along the coastline from Sydenham Inlet to Mallacoota. For coastal hikers, campsites are provided at Thurra River, Wingan Inlet and Shipwreck Creek for one night stays. Please contact the Information Centre at Mallacoota or Cann River before setting out. If you intend walking from Mallacoota into NSW, a permit is required from the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service at Eden.

Swimming and Snorkelling

These activities can be carried out in many places in and around the Park, however beware of tidal river entrances and ocean currents.

Trailer Sailers

Remember that jetties, picnic spots and firewood are to be shared with other visitors. Please do not dump waste materials in the pit toilets. Moor bow into jetties and “raft moor” your boats if in a group.

Looking After the Park

You can help protect Croajingolong by observing these common sense regulations:

• Light fires only in fireplaces provided and never on days of Total Fire Ban.
• Dogs, cats and firearms (including spearguns) are prohibited in the Park.
• All native plants and animals are protected and should not be disturbed or removed.
• Rubbish bins are not provided – please take your rubbish away with you. Rubbish tips are provided at Mallacoota, Cann River and Genoa.
• Spearfishing is not allowed in the Mallacoota Lakes.

Further Information

The saleable publication “Discovering Mallacoota Inlet” gives more detailed information on the Mallacoota area. These publications, and other information, are available from the NRE Information Centre, Princes Highway, Cann River, phone ((03) 5158 6351 or the CNR Office, corner of Allan and Buckland Drivers, Mallacoota, phone (03) 5158 0219.

March 1995
National Parks Service – Victoria
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources